LAO LVP Candidates Job Application

ALIKA HENDRICKS
LL.B., B.C.L., B.A. (Hons.)
JOB APPLICATION
LVP Candidate Resumé and Q&A

Fellow LAO Lawyers,
I am grateful for the trust you have put in me and in the other eight members of your Interim Local Committee
which has governed our union since its inception in 2016. I believe I am the best candidate to advance the
interim local committee’s vision for effective, collaborative leadership of our union.
I have personally been involved with our union organizing effort since 2012. For many years Legal Aid Ontario
refused to recognize our right to organize and to have the Society as our chosen bargaining agent. In that fight
for recognition, I picketed at the then premier’s office, I met with my MPP and attended countless campaign
organizing committee meetings. I then called many of you, asking you to vote in favour of the Society
becoming our chosen bargaining agent. I was later elected to serve on the bargaining committee to negotiate
our first collective agreement along with a group of our gifted colleagues. Once bargaining concluded, I
travelled to numerous worksites across the province in our ratification road show, meeting with many of you to
answer your questions about our collective agreement. I also took on some member representation files, and
alongside our Labour Relations Staff Officer, I represented lawyers whose jobs were eliminated due to
restructuring. Each of the lawyers I assisted transitioned into a fulfilling permanent lawyer position.
Friends, unions exist for critical times like this, when our jobs are threatened. They exist so that we can feel
secure at work, and secure in our future. We fought for the right to collectively bargain, and then we bargained
hard to safeguard what was most important to us. Now, when the province’s budget cuts cause us to feel
uncertain, it is worth remembering that our union is not afraid of a fight. I will advocate for the best interests of
all our members regardless of the political climate. Our union can voice what our employer cannot—and
together we can push back; we can lobby, we can effect change. To do so, we need an effective,
collaborative leader. Whether it is taking on the government of the day, taking on our employer or taking
on combative stakeholders, there will be battles to fight that we are best equipped to win by leveraging our
collective strengths. Our local deserves effective, collaborative leadership, because the ability to
listen and build consensus delivers results. Our Interim Local Committee seeks to challenge the default
hierarchy that would concentrate the ultimate decision-making power of our local in the hands of a single
person. Instead, we have diligently drafted bylaws for our local that would create a flatter governance structure,
with authority coming up from the members through the various elected representatives, including our Unit
Directors and delegates, who will be spread across the province.
I will be looking to the elected leaders around me to lead with me. We can achieve so much more together
than anyone can alone. I am inviting you to vote for the interim local committee’s vision by voting for me, Alika
Hendricks, as your Legal Aid Ontario Lawyers’ Local Vice-President.
For more information: www.AlikaHendricks.ca

LEGAL AID ONTARIO LOCAL VICE‐PRESIDENT CANDIDATE
Alika Hendricks
LL.B., B.C.L., B.A. (Hons.)
Staff Lawyer
Criminal Duty Counsel, GTA (2010-present)
LANGUAGES
English, French
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.), McGill University, 2009
Bachelor of Civil Law (B.C.L.), McGill University,
2009
Honours Bachelor of Arts (First Class Hons.),
Major in International Development Studies, Minor
in French Language Studies, McGill University,
2005
WORK EXPERIENCE (Legal Aid Ontario)
Bail and sentencing hearings, summary advice
Delivering criminal law training workshops
Participating in stakeholder meetings
Acting as manager in manager's absence
Mentoring new staff
OTHER PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
Adjunct Professor, Paralegal Program, Seneca
College (Toronto, ON), 2013-2016
Advisor, Project Genesis Community Legal Clinic
(Montreal, QC), 2007-2008
Research Assistant in Labour and Employment
Law to Professor Adelle Blackett, McGill University,
2007-2008
PUBLICATIONS
Hendricks, A. (Between the Lines, 2011). “No Man
is an Island”: Lessons in Interdependence Learned
in Barbados. Generation NGO. Apale, A. & Stam,
V., (Eds.)
Hendricks, A. (2007). UN ‘Concluding
Observations’ on Racial Discrimination in Canada:
Reasons for Hope in the Absence of Political Will?
Refugee Update, 59.
SOCIETY INVOLVEMENT
Organizing Campaign Committee Member (2012-
2016)
Elected Representative, LAO Interim Local
Committee (2016 to present)
o Work in collaboration to make governance
decisions relating to LAO local
SOCIETY INVOLVEMENT (Continued)
o Rotating Chair/ Facilitator of Local Committee
meetings
o Participate / cooperate in member outreach
and member representation
Collective Bargaining Team Member (2017-2018)
o Negotiated with LAO to secure first collective
agreement
Society Executive Board, Interim Local Committee
Representative (June 5,2018, October 2, 2018,
April 2, 2019)
o Brought perspective of LAO lawyers to the
table with parent union
Local Vice President Summit, Interim Local
Committee Representative (October 3, 2018)
Society Council, Delegate (November 13, 2017 &
November 5, 2018)
Ontario Federation of Labour’s Power ON 14th
Biennial Convention, Society Delegate (November
22, 2017)
LABOUR RELATIONS TRAINING
Joint Health & Safety Committee Certification (Part
1), Occupational Safety Group, Society Delegate
(March 18-20, 2019)
Level 2 Representative Training/ Grievance
Handling Training (December 5-6, 2018)
Level 1 Representative Training (March 28, 2018)
Pay Equity Symposium, Ontario Federation of
Labour, Society Delegate (Feb. 13, 2018)
Bargaining Preparation Training (May 12, 2017)
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Community Builders Youth Leadership, Chair,
Board of Directors (2010-2019)
Women of Colour Collective of McGill Law, Mentor
(2019-present)
Peacebuilders International, Youth Restorative
Justice Circle Keeper (2009-2013)
Sexual Assault Centre of McGill Students’ Society,
Crisis Intervention Volunteer (2006-2007)
CultureLink Settlement Services Agency, Board
Member (2000-2001)

2019 LAO LOCAL VICE-PRESIDENT ELECTIONS
LIST OF QUESTIONS
1. What are the top priorities for your local?
Job security is of paramount concern given the current uncertainty of LAO’s funding levels. Job security protections
in our collective agreement were hard won and we need to keep LAO accountable to comply with the processes
established in our collective agreement. LAO lawyers want to:
be heard
participate in all relevant processes
be confident that they’re receiving all the information necessary to make informed decisions.
It is time for LAO to factor in our experience and ideas in order to chart a sustainable path forward - a path which
protects lawyers’ jobs. It’s time for collaborative leadership.
2. How will you balance your Local and Executive Board duties?
The relationship between our local and the Society, is a symbiotic one. The concerns of LAO lawyers are in fact
shared by the wider body of professionals who make up our union. Serving LAO lawyers is the central mandate of the
LVP role, and from that flows the responsibility to advocate in various settings, including with the Executive Board, to
arrive at decisions which represent the best interests of our members. Participating in Society board meetings and
serving on committees ultimately strengthens our union, which reinforces our local and supports the broader labour
movement.
3. What are the key issues facing your members and how would you address them?
Within our local, many members feel disconnected and want to have a better sense of what the union is doing for
them. Strengthening the communication systems with all members will be key to a) identifying the evolving issues of
greatest importance and b) tailoring timely and appropriate solutions that draw on the expertise of our membership.
Leveraging technology through member engagement tools and a program of one-on-one member outreach will foster
consistent two-way communication. Looking externally, building strong relationships within our sector and across the
broader labour movement will help us to lobby for support of robust legal aid.
4. How will your Local contribute to the strength of the “member power” of the overall Society?
LAO lawyers have a great deal to offer the wider membership of the Society. We were the Society’s first local
comprised of lawyers, but two other ‘legal’ locals have subsequently joined. We are trailblazers in a sense, and our
experience can assist other new locals as they get oriented to the Society. We have raised such issues as equitable
representation in governance with the Society. Conscious questioning like this has helped to push the Society
executive to examine these critical questions with us, thereby shifting the status quo—which is a benefit to members
of all locals.

Why Vote for Me?
DANA FISHER for Local Vice President, LAO
www.danafisher.ca
For 7 years, I have fought for our rights with unwavering dedication. I poured my heart and soul
into our representation and will continue to do so as our Local Vice President (LVP). I am qualified,
dedicated and experienced, and not afraid to stand up for what is right.
I am a strong, outspoken advocate for our members, challenging LAO, MPPs, 3 Attorneys
General and 2 Premiers in print, television interviews, press conferences, and at rallies.
We face an unprecedented crisis at LAO. We need a qualified, experienced, fearless and
dedicated LVP. I will continue to fight to stop the cuts and to protect our members’ job security,
wellbeing in the workplace and professional responsibilities.
I know our members’ concerns and interests. I’ve been duty counsel for nearly a decade. But for
7 years I have also telephoned and emailed our members rallying us to unionize, ratify our
Collective Agreement and fight LAO cuts. I speak daily with our membership as the primary
provider of representational support across Ontario. I have travelled the province repeatedly to
meet members. I will continue to do this.
For 7 years I have been a leader for LAO Lawyers. I was a named applicant in our constitutional
challenge against LAO (one of only 8 who took that risk). I was the sole affiant, filing written
affidavits and poised to testify. I have successfully represented members in investigations and
ensured proper accommodations and disability needs are met. I was on the team that bargained
our first Collective Agreement.
My track record demonstrates that I value fairness, integrity, transparency and accountability for
the good of the membership. I will hold LAO to these same standards.
As our Local Vice President I will work to preserve and uphold all of our rights and interests, so
that we can continue to fight for the rights and interests of our clients.
What Qualifies me for LVP?
1. A strong and fearless advocate for our rights and interests;
2. The knowledge, experience, training and political acuity to ensure the effective
administration of our LAO collective agreement;
3. The ability to develop and sustain effective relationships, with colleagues, LAO, the
Society executive, and other stakeholders to successfully meet local demands;
4. Recognition as a credible, clear, coherent communicator able to negotiate and advance
the agenda skilfully and effectively; and
5. Demonstrated leadership, accountability to the membership and a track record of
holding Legal Aid accountable.
Key Issues I Commit to Addressing
Continuing to fight the provincial funding cuts;
Ensuring compliance with the collective agreement;

Dana Fisher
Team Lead, Bail Coordinator, Criminal Duty Counsel
College Park Courthouse, Toronto
Education:
1. Western Law. LL.B, 2008
- Certificate of completion of intensive mediation training
2. University of Toronto, HBSc, 2004
- Majors: criminology & psychology
Continuing Education:
1. Building Labour Capacity to Fight Racism & Xenophobia to
Beat Right Wing Attacks training and train the trainer 2019
2. Level Two Joint Health and Safety Committee Certified
2019
3. Ontario Bar Association Labour Law Essentials 2019
4. Ontario Federation of Labour Political Action Conference 2019
5. Delegate Training 2018
6. Canadian Labour Congress Labour Education Certificate “Member Engagement, Member
Action” 2017
7. Legal Aid Ontario “Management/Leadership Skills Course 2016
SOCIETY INVOLVEMENT
1. Spokesperson, LAO Lawyers Local, Society of United Professionals
2. Member Interim Local Committee (ILC)
3. Liaison with LAO and the Society ILC
4. Primary Member Responsible for Representational Issues ILC
5. Leader: Working Group on Service Integration (SI) ILC
6. Leader: Summary Legal Advice Family (SLAF) Call Requirements ILC
7. Member External Communications ILC
8. Member Bargaining Subcommittee ILC
9. Health and Safety Subcommittee Member ILC
10. Organizing Support for National Judicial Institute Organizing Drive
11. Spokesperson, LAO Lawyers Campaign for Collective Bargaining Rights
12. Sole Affiant on Charter Challenge
13. Named Applicant, Charter Challenge
14. Campaign Committee for Collective Bargaining Rights LAO Lawyers
15. Provincial Joint Health and Safety Committee Society Representative LAO
NON-SOCIETY INVOLVEMENT
1. Law Society of Ontario, member in good standing, June 2009 - present
2. Toronto and District Labour Council Delegate and Guest Speaker 2019
3. Toronto and York Region Labour Council All-Stewards Assembly 2019
4. Society Board guest
5. Ontario Federation of Labour Society Delegate 2017 - prepared to speak to Access to
Justice Motion brought by the Society of United Professionals
6. Toronto and District Labour Council Guest Speaker on LAO Organizing Drive 2014
7. Downtown Toronto - Human Services Justice Coordinating Committee, 2010 - 2017
8. Employee Engagement Committee, Legal Aid Ontario, 2010 - 2015
9. President, Criminal Law Students Association, Western Law, 2006 – 2008

Protecting job security and professional responsibilities, and ensuring manageable
workloads and hours; and
Creating positive, safe and healthy workplaces, including addressing harassment and
discrimination.
For these reasons I request your support.
For more on my platform, to see my endorsements and testimonials and to view videos and
media visit: www.danafisher.ca
Follow me on Twitter @DanaAFisher, Facebook and LinkdIn
Email: youvereacheddana@gmail.com
Call: 416-786-9434

DANA FISHER
2019 LAO LOCAL VICE-PRESIDENT ELECTIONS
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. What are the top priorities for your local?
Fighting the LAO funding cuts and ensuring LAO respects our CA rights. I will fight to protect our
members’ jobs, professional responsibilities, and ensure manageable hours and workloads.
We need to establish our relationship with LAO, MAG, LSO, the Society executive and others so
we are respected, relied upon and known to be knowledgeable on issues that affect us and our
clients.
We must build membership capacity and involvement. Decisions on behalf of the local must be
made with the input and involvement of our members. This can only be accomplished with an
engaged and active membership.
2. How will you balance your Local and Executive Board duties?
The Local membership has always been my first priority. It is why I joined our unionization efforts
and why I have dedicated the past 7 years to fighting for our rights. I have demonstrated that I will
commit my time and resources to provide the best representation for our Local, at the Board and
in the workplace, and wherever it is needed.
I will work collaboratively with LAO elected representatives and our membership to achieve a
strong Local based on the needs and interests of our members. I strengthen and support our local
through an effective association with the Society.
3. What are the key issues facing your members and how would you address them?
LAO funding cuts, and their implications for job security, including layoffs and changes to work
responsibilities; workload; hours of work; and our professional responsibilities (more work with
fewer staff/resources). I will educate and work closely with our membership. I will fight the cuts
and protect our jobs and our rights and ensure compliance with our first CA.
Health and safety, including harassment and discrimination, and equity and diversity remain
significant issues also.
My approach to all issues is focused, intentional and responsible. I ensure fair processes, speak
out for what is right and will hold LAO accountable.
4. How will your Local contribute to the strength of the “member power” of the overall
Society?
We are a Local of educated members, schooled in research, negotiation and advocacy. We
endured many years fighting for our collective bargaining rights in the face of outright refusal from
our employer. Our membership is strong and committed.

We have contacts and connections in the justice sector. We have social and community partners.
We bring diversity to the Society.
As your LVP I will ensure that we build engagement throughout our Local and continue to develop
a strong and effective association with the Society. I recognize that the power to influence
becomes stronger when we are aligned.

Thank you for your consideration!